Squeeze a dab of a wood filler kit's cream or putty material onto a piece of shiny cardboard. The dab should be large enough to fill one small crack in a railway tie. 2. Squeeze a line of the wood filler kit's hardener gel onto the dab of cream or putty, applying the amount appropriate for the amount of cream or putty on the cardboard.
How do you Weld railroad ties together?
How do you attach railroad ties together? Place a railroad tie horizontally across the back ends of the first two side ties. The ends should overlap to form joints. Drill through the joints and drive an 18-inch rod through the top and bottom tie. Drill a hole into the center of the horizontal tie and drive an 18-inch tie through the tie and ...
What are railroad ties used for?
- Authentic used railroad cross ties salvaged from train track beds.
- Color, appearance and actual size may vary by store.
- Can be used for nonstructural earth retaining applications
- Creosote treated
- Ideal for landscaping projects
Can railroad ties be used for fencing?
Can railroad ties be used as fence posts? Railroad ties can make a sturdy fence that matches rugged terrain on large properties. Get ties from a reputable lumber source in your area, and inspect them before you make your fence. Older recycled ties may be rotted or have critter infestations, reducing the life of your fence.
How much do railroad ties cost?
You can expect to pay $5-10 if you buy them from the owner in small quantities and around $15 if you purchase them from a store. It is definitely possible to get railroad ties for free.
How do you fix an old railroad tie retaining wall?
3:099:10Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Problems? Retaining Wall Repair ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike. I said just clearing everything back behind below the wall you know and behind the wall. AndMoreLike. I said just clearing everything back behind below the wall you know and behind the wall. And then literally. We would be setting. Up scaffolding.
Are railroad ties safe for retaining walls?
Using railroad ties for garden beds can pose a threat to your soil, pets and children, as well as the food you grow. Railroad ties are thick, durable, cheap, recycled wood that forms long-lasting barriers for beds, paths, and retaining walls.
How long will a railroad tie retaining wall last?
The life expectancy of a railroad tie retaining wall is about 20 to 30 years, with an average of 25 years. Take off a few years for a location in a warm, wet environment like Florida, where wood rot and termites are active year-round.
How do you disassemble a railroad tie retaining wall?
Pick the soil away from the ends of the top railroad tie on the retaining wall, using a mattock, shovel or similar digging tools. The ends of the railroad ties should be set in the soil to help anchor the wall. Pull the end pieces off the wall after removing the soil.
How much does an 8 foot railroad tie weigh?
An average wooden railroad tie weighs about 200 pounds but can range from between 100 and 300 lbs. depending on size, wood type, and age. A typical 8'6″ tie made of oak will often weigh about 200 pounds while softer woods will weigh less. Older ties will tend to be more dried out and weigh less.
How much does a 9 foot railroad tie weigh?
The average railroad tie weighs around 200 pounds.
Will railroad ties rot in the ground?
Railroad ties have to routinely be replaced because of the decay that happens in the center of the ties. These ties often get re-sold as landscaping timbers where the decay and damage from wood destroying insects can continue until there is virtually nothing left except the exterior shell of the timbers.
Do termites eat railroad ties?
Use of insecticides like borates (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate) and/or pressure-treated wood (chromated copper arsenate) protect against termites and wood decay fungi. However, over time, even railroad ties, telephone poles and pressure treated wood can be subject to termite attack.
Can you pour concrete over railroad ties?
0:091:41Stairway Built With Concrete And Railroad Ties - Landscaping IdeasYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply put a railroad tie in the front. Form around it put another railroad tie at the height youMoreSimply put a railroad tie in the front. Form around it put another railroad tie at the height you need in back of it and work your way up accordingly. And then fill it with concrete.
How do you push a retaining wall back?
Here's how to push back a retaining wall:Check your building codes.Prepare the retaining wall area.Begin removal of the wall.Remove wall caps.Transport the dirt or debris to the new site.Construct a new foundation on the new site.Move the wall line to the new area.
How do you move railroad ties by yourself?
0:142:28moving a heavy railroad tie - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's about six feet long. And screw it to the wire of the railroad tie. And we can just drag it likeMoreIt's about six feet long. And screw it to the wire of the railroad tie. And we can just drag it like as if we're move mules or horses or cows or whatever we did that it was like extremely.
How do you fill cracks in railroad ties?
When cracks or splits are in your railway ties, use a wood filler product to seal those openings. As with all projects that involve wood treated with creosote -- as railway ties generally are, take extra precautions to protect your health.
What can I use instead of railroad ties for landscaping?
Pressure-treated lumber is the closest alternative to railroad ties for landscaping your garden and creating planters.
What is the best material for a retaining wall?
Poured Concrete The strongest and most durable choice, concrete can be stamped, stained, veneered, or carved to look like mortared stone.
Are old railroad ties safe for gardens?
In my opinion, and I have discussed this topic with an environmental toxicologist at the University of California at Davis, the railroad ties present no risk to you as a gardener and will not harm any of the plants or vegetables you grow in or near the railroad ties.
How long does creosote last in railroad ties?
Treated railroad ties, crossties or wooden sleepers are made primarily from wood and then treated with a preservative so they can last 30 years or more.
How long should a pin be for a railroad tie?
Each of the pins should be about 2-2 1/2 feet long so that you get a good solid hold into the ground. If you cut one end at an angle, it will be a lot easier to drive the pin through the soil or through the railroad tie. Sometimes it can be near impossible to get a pin through a railroad tie without cutting a point on it.
What are railroad ties made of?
Railroad ties are made of tough oak and are soaked in tar and baked in. They're pretty tough. An auger bit will eat right through it and has the length to drill through more than one tie at a time when need be. Try not to hit the ground too much or your bit will go dull real fast.
What to use for railroad pins?
Especially if your pins are made out of rebar. The best thing to use is a long wood auger bit as opposed to one of those drill bit extender things. The drill bit extender will probably work, however, it will also probably come loose in one of the railroad ties at some point.
Why do people use rebar?
Most people use rebar because the ridges help to grab the dirt and railroad ties to hold the wall solid. We didn't have much rebar on hand but we did have these square bent 1/2" steel rod things with eyelets on the end we found in the barn. So we just chopped those up.
Can you cover a gravel driveway with dirt?
It's ok to cover everything up with dirt if that's the look you're going for. It should not affect drainage too much. We did it only temporarily until we get around to filling this whole area in with gravel driveway and connecting it to the rest of our driveway. When that day comes, we will remove the little bit of dirt that is covering the gravel between the ties and the wall to allow for even better drainage. This is also why it look like the dirt is a little low. Gotta leave room for gravel driveway!
Can you use railroad ties to make a retaining wall?
If you have a slope that is need of a retaining wall and have access to railroad ties, this is the perfect project for you! We'll be showing you how we made a railroad tie retaining wall in between two of our shops. We had 18 inches of a hill that needed to be retained. This is how we made a basic retaining wall using railroad ties found on our farm.
Can you drill holes in a pin?
Now you gotta drill some holes. You want the hole to be the same size or just slightly bigger than the pin you are going to drive through it. You can drill it smaller if you want, but it will make pounding the pin in a real pain. Especially if your pins are made out of rebar.
How to add support to a railroad ties?
Add support to each level by filling in between the back of the railroad ties and the ground with stones. This will also help with drainage .
How to keep a wall from tipping over?
Starting your bottom layer with a slight tilt towards the ground behind it can also help prevent the wall from tipping over as the hill moves behind it over time.
How long should rebar be?
The hole must be big enough to fit a piece of rebar through. The rebar should be at least 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) long .
What is rebar in a wall?
The rebar acts as your stabilization for the wall.
How to make sure ties are flush?
Make sure your ties are sitting flush on the ground by setting a level on them periodically throughout the length of the wall to check.
Is railroad ties safe?
Most railroad ties, even those sold as "reclaimed" at home improvement centers, contain creosote. The EPA states that creosote is hazardous, and has no safe use in or around the home. Handling the ties is hazardous to humans, and creosote can leach from the ties for many, many years to harm animals and contaminate ground water and plants. Locate untreated ties (some manufacturers are switching to safer methods than creosote), or use ties that are known to be treated with materials that are safer than creosote.
Can you build a railroad tie retaining wall?
A large sloping backyard may look appealing, but once you start mowing this unusable side hill, you may consider the benefits of getting rid of it. Thus, the thought to build a railroad tie retaining wall comes in. Cutting a large part of a sloping yard out to make room for a livable, usable back yard is a possible solution with the addition of a retaining wall.
How to secure rebar into railroad tie?
Always wear gloves!!! After you have predrilled you can then hammer your rebar into the ties making sure to secure the rebar into the ground 6 inches. After you have secured the first layer ...
How to drill a hole in a railroad tie?
Starting six inches from your rebar that has now secured your base layer or railroad ties, you want to drill a single 3/8” hole on each side of the railroad tie. Then mark on the side of the railroad tie that faces out or towards you the location of the hole. Recommended doing this for the whole length of the wall.
What are the best practices for retaining walls?
There are two best practices when securing a retaining wall: Deadman Ties and Rebar. Railroad ties can be used for much more than just retaining walls. We have seen customers build furniture, flower beds and much more using railroad ties. Let us get into it!
What is a Deadman tie?
What is a Deadman railroad tie? A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible.
How high are railroad ties?
For most of the 200' there are two levels of railroad ties. right in front of where cars park, the wall goes up to about 3' high. Then the bank goes horizontally back for about 4 feet and there is another, higher 3'. Generally, almost all of the railroad ties are fine. only a few, here and there need replacing from deterioration. The main problem is the spikes holding the deadmen, or the deadmen themselves have slipped and the wall is probably 2" out of plumb over its 3' height. I imagine being able to have someone drive in steel piles every 4' or so to stop it from tilting any more. Has anyone heard of doing this, or have any other ideas? I think replacing it all isn't really necessary, as the wall is intact and it would probably cost mega money. Who would I call/contact to do piles? It is all pure sand, very well drained soil. Thanks in advance for your thoughts/experience
What is a 4' retaining wall?
Typically, a 4' retaining wall (aka, the above ground portion/height) is only part of the height of the wall (the footing is under the ground). Stepping two walls, as you describe, then also requires certain distances from one another - based on soil, wall design, wall height, etc. . .
What to do if your neighbor has a wall?
If your neighbor has a wall that threatens you, it's a waste of time to call the city. What works is to call the guy's insurance agent. Faced with the cancellation of their homeowners policy, most will correct the problem.
Can you brace wood after deadmen fail?
There are ways to brace wood walls after the deadmen have begun to fail. But it only extends the wall life and often the cost does not justify the repair unless only a few extra years are needed before something else is planned for the site.
Costs of a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall Compared to Other Materials
As I just mentioned, railroad tie retaining walls typically cost between $25 and $30 per square foot. Again, this is one of the least expensive materials compared to wood, bricks, natural stones, or concrete blocks.
How To Save on the Cost of Building a Retaining Wall
When building a retaining wall, homeowners need to get the best possible price. To do this, they can try breaking up their project into sections and getting multiple estimates from local contractors. This provides a better idea of the overall costs before work begins.
Conclusion
Building a railroad tie retaining wall is one of the cheaper options when compared to concrete, natural stone, brick, and some other materials. However, if you hire a contractor to do the work for you, the cost will increase based on labor costs in your area.
Sources
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How to smooth a crack in a railway tie?
Smooth the outside portion of the filled crack with the trowel or other tool, making a level surface. The railway tie is probably quite rough, and so you don't have to make the surface completely smooth, just flush with the surrounding part of the railway tie.
What to use to seal cracks in railway ties?
When cracks or splits are in your railway ties, use a wood filler product to seal those openings. As with all projects that involve wood treated with creosote -- as railway ties generally are, take extra precautions to protect your health.
What to wear to fill wood?
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes as well as rubber or plastic gloves and a dust mask. Squeeze a dab of a wood filler kit's cream or putty material onto a piece of shiny cardboard. The dab should be large enough to fill one small crack in a railway tie.
How long does it take for wood filler to dry?
Wait for the mixture to dry in the repaired crack. The mixture may require only 20 minutes or a longer time period to dry. Check your wood filler kit's instructions for the product's drying time.
Can you sand over wood filler?
Some people sand over the wood filler once it is dry, allowing for an even, smooth finish. On railway ties, however, that task is not really necessary. Warnings. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, creosote is a potentially harmful chemical.
